Cultural Exchange: Italian Nursing Student Completes Research at CHCC

Maria Stefania Paradiso, a third-year nursing student studying with the faculty of Medicine and Surgery of the University of Palermo in Italy, chose to do a research study at Christian Health Care Center in Wyckoff on how nurses view and experience the safety culture within the facility.

The research study was part of her thesis to meet a requirement for her bachelor of science in nursing degree. She chose to do her research at CHCC because her aunt, Francesca Carabillo, is employed in CHCC's Food Services Department.

"We were delighted to have Stefania conduct her research here because promoting a culture of safety is a serious commitment supported by the entire CHCC community," said Elaine G. Whelan, clinical education director. "I was also pleased that 57 of our nurses participated in this very worthwhile endeavor."

Paradiso recently shared the results of her study with CHCC, which she translated from Italian to English. Data collected indicated that the "level of safety climate within CHCC" is "excellent," and that nurses within the Long-term Care Division rated "relationships among nurses," "communication with physicians," and "opportunities for education" highest among the study's related variables.

One of the conclusions made from the study is that a health system that aims to optimize the quality of care must invest time and money to improve the nursing work environment and establish a good safety climate within the company.